“But you’ve got to have a bond with your players, be their friend but also so
they know how far they can go.”

Ince and Bruce, 50, became neighbours and great friends when Ince joined
United in 89 from West Ham.

And 22 years later, the born winners will lock horns in this Premier League v
League One tie. Ince said: “We lived about 200 yards apart and mixed
socially. We go on holiday every year to the Algarve, we are very close. He
looked after me when I went to Old Trafford.

“He deserves his success. I spoke to him on Tuesday and asked if we could come
up Friday, use his training ground and he said ‘no problem, we’ll give you
lunch’.

“That emphasises the quality of the man. He’s one who can hopefully go on and
become England manager.”

The Guv’nor himself has his own lofty ambitions — with his eye on the Inter
Milan hotseat.

He played at Inter after leaving United in 1995 and helped them to the UEFA
Cup final, where they lost on penalties. He has unfinished business in the
San Siro.

He said: “I will manage Inter one day. I might last a bit longer than Rafa!

“I’m enjoying it here but you want to go higher and higher.”

Ince is under no illusions about the task his side face this afternoon.

He said: “They are flying but we go up there with no pressure. Cup upsets can
happen, why can’t it be us?”

Asked why Ince got on with Bruce at United, the Guv’nor said: “I think it’s
because he liked a beer — and still does by the size of him!”

The size of the task facing Notts is huge, but Ince has the spirit of the FA
Cup running through him.